Novosibirsk court reduces sentences for former kindergarten staff

The Novosibirsk Regional Court has reduced the sentences for former employees of a private kindergarten who were convicted of child torture. This was reported on 20 January 2026 by the press service of the region«s courts of general jurisdiction.

The regional court reviewed the sentence based on an appeal from the convicts and their defenders and reduced the punishment terms for former kindergarten director Elena Chubykina and teacher Anna Yershova. The charge of improper performance of duties in the upbringing of a minor (Article 156 of the Russian Criminal Code) was removed from the verdict as the statute of limitations had expired. As a result, the convicts were found guilty of torture (clauses «a», «g», «ye» of part 2, Article 117 of the Russian Criminal Code) and sentenced to a general regime penal colony for 4 and 3 years, respectively.

In July 2025, the Oktyabrsky District Court found guilty 52-year-old director of the private kindergarten Elena Chubykina and 24-year-old teacher Anna Yershova in a case of child torture. According to the investigation, the director and her subordinate beat and insulted the kindergarten pupils from May to July 2023.

Originally, the director was sentenced to 4.5 years in a general regime colony, and the teacher to 3.5 years. The convicts were banned from engaging in pedagogical activities for terms of 4 and 3 years, respectively. Furthermore, the court granted civil lawsuits from the children«s parents for amounts from 30,000 to 150,000 rubles (approx. $300–$1,500 at current rates).

Earlier in Novosibirsk, a local resident accused of torturing his family went on trial.